Question

Are babies who are exposed to music before their birth smarter than those who are not? And, if so, what kind of music is best? Researchers at the University of Wisconsin conducted an experiment with rats. The researchers selected a random sample of pregnant rats and divided the sample into three groups. Mozart works were played to one group, a second group was exposed to white noise (a steady hum with no musical elements) and the third group listened to Philip Glass music (very simple compositions). The researchers then trained the young rats to run a maze in search of food. The amount of time for the rats to complete the maze was measured for all three groups.a. Can we infer from these data that there are differences between the three groups?b. If there are differences, determine which group is best.